League of Women Voters of California Education Fund
Sonoma County, CA November 2, 2010 Election
	Mike Gillaspie Answers Questions Candidate for Council Member; City of Sonoma

The questions were prepared by the League of Women Voters of Sonoma County and asked of all candidates for this office.
Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

Questions & Answers

1. Please comment on executive pay and pension packages for public entities, particularly in the context of the Smart Train Agency, which has offered to pay both the employer and the employee portions of the pension payments. Do you agree or disagree with this action, and if you disagree, what can and/or will you do about it?

To begin with, Sonoma County needs commuter rail as envisioned by SMART. It is important to our quality of life, our economy, our environment, and our future. But tax revenue has slumped, construction costs have risen, and so the project is now in a $155 million shortfall. So the obvious question is: how do we pay for such an important endeavor in our current economic condition?

I agree with the Grand Jury that the pension plan offered to the SMART agency employees is overly generous in light of the agencies current budget shortfall. It demonstrates an apparent lack of financial responsibility on the part of the SMART agency and its leadership.

I'm in favor of sensible public pensions that help public entities attract and retain the best employees possible. This is an important component of both public and private employee recruitment.

The SMART agency needs leadership that can make difficult and sometimes unpopular fiscal decisions to cut the costs of the project. At the same time, elected officials in Sonoma County (myself included, if elected) must focus on making sound fiscal decisions. One way that I can do that is by promoting public policies that encourage small business growth. Business and economic development will lead to increased public revenues that can help us better afford important projects such as SMART.

2. What are your goals for public education? As an elected official, what measures could you take to improve the school system?

I'm from a family of educators: my father, brothers, sister, and in-laws. My father was the first person in his or my mother's family to attend college. I strongly considered a career in teaching, and I passionately support teachers and our public education system. Quality and affordable education for everyone is absolutely vital to the success of our economy and our democracy. I also believe we have a moral obligation to provide quality and affordable education to everyone, because education can provide the tools that allow a person from any economic background to succeed in our society. I have a four-year old daughter who will start kindergarten next year, so I also have an additional personal interest in the educational system in Sonoma County.

As an elected official in the City of Sonoma, I will support community programs that help kids and their families. An example is the Boys and Girls Club of Sonoma Valley, an organization that is vital to our community. The Community Center is another organization providing vital services. I also will encourage parents to take part in the children's education, by supporting volunteer efforts in schools and participation in school sponsored events. I also support a community swimming pool, which will benefit children in our community. Whenever possible, I will support funding school programs that benefit kids, improve education, and expand access to educational opportunities.

3. Please comment on commercial development in your district, particularly vis a vis differences and conflicts between city and county agencies.

The City of Sonoma depends on the strong County economy. City services, such as transportation and water supply, are connected to the economic health and public operations of the County. School districts, fire, and police services are shared by County organizations and the City of Sonoma.

We need a strong working relationship between members of our City Council and County public officials to maintain the high quality of these services.

In the City of Sonoma, we are concerned with how our public infrastructure, such as water, waste management, and roads, can support future commercial development. We also want development that minimizes impact to our open spaces and environment, especially in terms of the reduction of carbon emission.

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Responses to questions asked of each candidate are reproduced as submitted to the League.  Candidates' responses are not edited or corrected by the League. Candidates may not refer to any other candidates in their answers.

Read the answers from all candidates (who have responded).

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Created from information supplied by the candidate: September 30, 2010 15:40
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